Domonic Brown May Just Be Teasing Us, Or He May Be Heating Up

May 2, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Domonic Brown (9) singles during the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Marlins 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

Is this just another tease, or are we finally starting to see some signs of life from Domonic Brown?

After his ridiculous spring training, in which he hit .356/.414/.633 for an OPS of 1.047 and 7 HRs, the hope was Brown was ready to turn the corner and be the player many thought he could be when he was the fourth-best prospect in baseball.

Of course, as the regular season began, Brown showed why, once again, it’s stupid to use spring training numbers as a basis for anything.

In his first 20 games this year, Brown hit .206/.306/.317 for an OPS of .623, with just 2 HRs and 1 double. A small sample size, yes, but still not very good.

However, it’s possible… and I stress POSSIBLE… that maybe Brown is starting to get hot.

Brown’s three hits last night gives him five multi-hit games in his last nine, including this laser-beam homer to right field last night, his third of the year.

Everyone knows this type of player lives deep inside Dom Brown somewhere. And he has teased us in the past with these brief glimpses of potential. It’s why the ardent Brown supporters back him so fervently. There is a chance this guy could be an All-Star player, a dynamic talent that can help the Phillies build for the future.

There is just too much potential there to give up on too quickly.

Brown credits finally being able to play every day as one of the reasons he has started to find his groove.

"“You find a rhythm when you are playing every day,” Brown said. “It’s been a blessing for Charlie to tell me I am in the lineup. In big situations with the game on the line, I am more confident.”"

And despite calls from people frustrated by Brown’s lack of production, Manuel has continued to run the young left fielder out there every day, against both right-handed and left-handed pitchers. Mainly because he hasn’t any other options. But still…

"“[Brown] is more receptive to things now and that comes from being around a Major League team and took him a while to get used to things and learned what it was about,” Manuel said. – quotes per Marc Narducci of Philly.com"

They key now is for Brown to sustain this. Everyone will know Dom has truly turned a corner when he can put together a productive three or four weeks, not just 5-7 games. And let’s face it. The Phillies are DESPERATE for Brown to produce, given the state of their outfield through the team’s first 28 games of the year.

While it’s fair to be skeptical about Brown, and some of the impatience is understandable, it’s also fair to give Brown the entire 2013 season to truly prove himself.

Anything less would not only be unfair to Brown, but it would force the Phillies to make a judgment about him without truly allowing all the facts to be gathered.

As of right now, Dom Brown is hitting well.

Let’s hope it continues.